Spiral of violence continues in Aceh

Spiral of violence continues in Aceh

BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): The cycle of violence in Aceh seems
unending as witnesses and officials reported the death on Monday
of at least another eight people in various locations in the
province.

In the Babah Dua tourist resort in Lhoknga district, Aceh
Besar regency, three bodies, all family members, were found dead
with gunshot and stab wounds found all over their bodies, Ikhsan,
a local Indonesian Red Cross official said.

The resort is located some 18 kilometers west of Banda Aceh.

Ikhsan identified the three as Ali Basyah, 65, his wife
Nurmala, 53, and daughter Nuraida, 18.

The three were originally from Geurugok village in Dewantara
district in North Aceh but had moved to Ajun district in Aceh
Besar last year.

A relative of the 65-year-old man, Nurdin Yusuf said the three
were taken from their home by unknown gunmen on Sunday.

The motive of the killing is unknown.

Meanwhile in West Aceh, at least five people were killed and
11 others injured in a fierce gunfight in front of a high school
on Sunday.

The fatalities were identified as Tarmizi, 16, Azhar Iskandar,
18, Lukman, 18 -- all students at the state-run Krueng Sabe high
school -- First Brig. Andreas Sigalingging and one other
unidentified resident.

Of the 11 injured, three are in a critical condition.

Witnesses said the incident was sparked when a group of
motorcyclists attacked two police Mobile Brigade (Brimob)
personnel passing in front of the high school on Sunday.

The attackers made off with two guns belonging to the
policemen.

Minutes later, dozens of Brimob personnel came to the high
school and stormed into the school compound.

Witnesses, asking for anonymity, said they searched the
students, undressed them and told them to lay down on the ground.

Dozens of other students and two deputy school principals were
brought to the nearby Brimob post for questioning. Three of the
students were killed during the arrest.

Several people, bus passengers on the Meulaboh-Banda Aceh
public bus, who happened to pass the location at the time, also
admitted to witnessing the torture of high school students when
policemen stormed the school.

When asked to comment, Aceh police deputy spokesman Police
Comr. Sudharsono confirmed the death of one Brimob personnel and
other casualties but said: "GAM (the separatist Free Aceh
Movement) attacked our officers in front of the school."

"And the dead students were probably hit by stray bullets," he
told reporters.

Separately GAM spokesman for the West Aceh area Abu Chaidir
confessed that his group was responsible for attacking Brimob
officers in front of the high school.

"We attacked them but why did they (police) arrest school
students and kill them? If they dare, they should chase GAM," he
charged. (50/emf)